Devices for the automatic opening and closing of doors and the like



March 18,1958 BUNZL 2,827,284

DEVICES FOR THE AUTOMATIC OPENING AND CLOSING OF DOORS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 17, 1954 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig 1 INVENTOR. f/surur ////v2 jwvzz BY Mi March 18, 1958 H. H. BUNZL 2,827,284

mzvxcxs FOR THE AUTOMATIC OPENING AND CLOSING OF DOORS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 17, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 6

MAL Wu March 18, 1958 H. H. BUNZL DEVICES FOR THE AUTOMATIC OPENING AND CLOSING OF DOORS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb 17, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig. 8

IN VEN TOR. 16 51/107 ////vz Bwvz;

United States Patent D DEVICES FOR THE AUTOMATIC OPENING AND CLOSING F DOORS AND THE LIKE Helmut Heinz Bunzl, Zurich, Switzerland Application February 17, 1954, Serial No. 410,959 Claims priority, application Switzerland March 13, 1953 14 Claims. (Cl. 268-65) There are already known devices for the automatic opening and closing of doors and the like which are controlled by push-button switches, photoelectric cells or the like. These known devices as a rule, act on the hinges of the doors and must be fitted in the floor, the door frame or the lintel and they are consequently suitable only for doors that are to be newly made or, if they are to be fitted to existing doors, they render considerable fitting Work necessary. In addition, these known devices for the automatic opening and closing of doors and the like are very expensive and require a relatively powerful motor. These disadvantages can be eliminated by the present invention.

The subject matter of the present invention is a device for the automatic opening and closing of doors and the like, in which there is fixed, on the wing of the door which is to be opened and closed, a casing in which there is mounted a reversible electric motor that drives, through a reduction gear, a roller which is pressed against a stationary track and efiects the movement of the Wing of the door which is to be opened and closed and which is provided with a lifting device, and in which door opening and closing device there are arranged in the said casing a device, to be operated by an actuating device, for switching in the electric motor in the direction of rotation which corresponds to the opening, and controlling members which are operated by transmission members in dependence upon the movement of the wing to be opened and closed, the said controlling members controlling the electric motor in accordance with the required course of movement of the wing to be opened and closed.

This device can readily be fitted to any existing door.

Two examples of embodiment of the subject matter of the invention and their arrangement, as well as a wiring diagram, are represented in the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a door with a device for its automatic opening and closing arranged thereon;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the first embodiment of the device for the automatic opening and closing of a door, with the lid of the casing taken oif and the motor removed;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line IVIV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line VV of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of the device shown in Figs. 3 to 5;

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the second embodiment of the device for the automatic opening and closing of a door, with the lid of the casing taken off and the motor removed.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line VIIIVIII of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a section on the line IX-IX of Fig. 8.

In Figs. 1 and 2, 1 denotes the wing of a single-wing door which is rotatably mounted by means of the hinges 2. On the middle part of the bottom part of the frame of the wing 1 thereis fixed a casing 3 which consists of av base plate and a lid and in which the driving 7 lie one within the other and 2,827,284 Patented Mar. 18, 1958 ice mechanism (hereinafter described in two embodiments) of the device for the automaitc opening and closing of the wing 1 of the door is accommodated. 4 denotes a push-button switch arranged on the frame of the door and 5 denotes a foot switch arranged outside the reach of the wing 1; both the push-button switch and the foot switch or only one of them may be provided. Instead of the push-button switch 4 or the foot switch 5, or in addition thereto, a photoelectric or other electronic switching device may be provided.

The casing 3 consists of a base plate 6, which is fixed on the bottom part of the door wing, and a lid 7, which is detachably fixed on the base plate 6. Mounted on a support 8 on the base plate 6 in vibration-absorbing; bearing members is a reversible electric motor 9 which drives, through a worm gear 10 and a spur-wheel gear 12 arranged in a rocking arm 11 which is mounted on. the shaft of the worm wheel of the worm gear 10, a, shaft 13 which is mounted in the rocking arm 11 and. is parallel to the floor. Mounted on this shaft 13 is; a sleeve 14 which is coupled with the shaft 13 by a friction clutch 16 that is acted upon by a compression spring 15. Mounted on the sleeve 14 is an adhesion roller 17 made of profiled rubber or the like, which runs on the floor, a strip of carpet, a plate or a rail and effects the movement of the door wing. The rocking arm 11 is acted upon by a prestressed spring 18 which causes the adhesion roller to be pressed to its rolling surface. The friction clutch 16 renders it pos-. sible for the adhesion roller 17 to roll on its rolling surface also when the electric motor 9 is switched out; and the door wing is opened or closed by hand. The. connecting flange 19 of the casing of the worm gear 10 is fixed to the base plate 20 of the electric motor 9 by means of set screws 21 which are inserted in the base plate 20 and which lie in arcuate slots 22 in the connecting flange 19. These slots 22 in the connccting flange 19 render it possible to turn the connecting flange 19 within certain limits in relation to the base plate 20 and thus to set the adhesion roller 17 in the correct position, i. e. in such a position that its axis intersects the axis of the door hinges. A lifting device that is to be operated by a lever 23 renders it possible to lift the rocking arm 11, for the purpose of disengaging the device, in opposition to the action of the spring 18 and thus to lift the adhesion roller from its bearing surface.

Arranged on the base plate 6 of the casing 3 are a starting relay 24 and a switching relay 25 for forward and backward running of the electric motor 9. On the bottom part of the base plate 6 of the casing 3 there is mounted a shaft 26. On one side of the base plate 6 there are arranged on this shaft 26 two sleeves which. on one of which a cam disc 27 is mounted and on the other of which two cam discs. 28 and 29 are mounted. The length of the said sleeves is stepped and they have on their ends that are outside, the lid 7 of the casing adjusting heads 39 and 31 respectively. In the same way, there are arranged, on the otherside of the base plate 6 on the shaft 26, two sleeves onwhich cam discs 33 and 34 respectively are mounted. These two sleeves side the lid 7 of the casing adjusting heads 35 and 36 respectively. The adjusting heads 30 and 31 and 35 and 36 are each provided with a set screw 37 by means of which the sleeves can be clamped on the shaft 26 in any desired position in relation to one another. The cam discs 27, 28, 29, 33 and 34 operates switches 38, 39, 40,

41 and 42 respectively. On the shaft 26 there is also keyed, by means of a set screw, an adjusting ring 43 to which is pressed the hub of a lever 44, loosely mounted on the shaft 26, by a spring 46 which is arranged on the also have on their ends that are out shaft 26 and rests against another adjusting ring 45. In this way, the lever 44 is coupled with the shaft 26 by friction. The lever 44 operates a switch 47 and a set screw48 limitsits switchingmovement.

FiXedto thebottonrpart. of the. .sidepart;v that vcarries the, hinges 2 for. therotation. of the ;door is a bearing. member .49 on whicha tubular. arm. 50.:is mountedso. as to be capable of being. swungabout a vertical .axis. Carried .displaceablyin .thistubular arm-SO-is arod 51, thetendof which, thatgis outside-the tubular arm 50,: .10 is connected-with a verticaLshaft 52 which is mounted in a casing: 53 that. is fixed on the. doorwing 1 near. the axis of the hinges 2. The ,end of the shaft 52 thatclies in thecasing 53 ,carriesa, bevel wheel54 with which a second ;bevel wheel.5 5 engages which is mounted on one, end of a shaft 5 6,which-is mounted: in the casing 55 andthe otherdend of whichis coupled with the shaft 26. The two endsof the shaft26 are formed for cou-... pling with .the shaft 56 in order that it should be possible t to fit the deviceto door wings which open on the right or on the left.

From the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 6, the construction of the-starting, relay 24 and of the switching I relay 25, as well, as the arrangement of these relays and. of the. switches 38.,to 42in the circuit of the electric motor-,9, can be seen,-and.the operation of thedevice de-- scribed for,.t he automatic opening and closing of the' d Qr..Wil1 nowhe describedwith .the aid. of this wiring diagram.

In Figpfi, R and ,S denotethe conductorsqof current. mains to whichthe; device-is connected... The ,starting.:.; relay. 24,and,the switching relay 25 as welltas the switches .38 -42 are represented in theposition which :2. correspondsto the-condition of rest with the door; closed, Thestarting relay-24 operates two switches,-24a and 25b, andthe switchingrelayZS operates fourswitches 25a, 25bJ[2 5c and. 25d. The"collect0r.of the electric motor 9 is denoted by 9a andits field windings are denoted-by 9b' and 9c. W1 and W2.are.series resistances.

If thepush button= switch. 4, the-foot switch15;or the. photoelectricor electronic switching device is operated,- theistarting relay 24 is energized throughthe switch 39 whereby switches 24a and 2411 are closed. :1The switch: ingrelay 25 is energised through the switches;-24a an 40,.closes the switch 25d,reverses the'switches 25a, and-,1. 25b and opensthe switch-25c. The circuit of the ;elec:-.. tric'rnotora9, isthus closed through the switches 25:; and 25h, -the.switch .38 that is closed in this ;condition-.of operatiomrand the switch:25d,:and the electriemotor 9, starts to rotate vigorously in the direction whichcorrespondsto the. opening of the door,- so that'the .door begins. to open,,, 1"he'shaft.,56 is.rotat ed by theiopening move.- ,1 ment of the door-,1. andQdrives the shaft '26. :Thegleverv 44 is frictionally driven. by theishaft 26 and operates the; switchA? which is: reversed and thus breaks..the :.circ uit:1; of the, ,s witch..24b whichactsas holding contact fortthe ,1. starting relay. 24, .-so that the startingrrelay 24 is deenergised, At the;sarn e timer-however, the,switch.z47 takesoverthe supplying of current to the switching relay r25, so that the electric: motor 9 continues to run; 1 and thedooris opened further. ,After a definiteopen-s ingrnovernent of the door; which can be adjusted by corresponding adjustment of the cam disc 27, the switch 38 is reversedby the ,cam disc '27 that is rotatingwith 5 5 the sh aft,,2 6, so that the regulatable series resistance. W1. is switched out. and thegtorqueof the electric motorfl; i is reduced.- The door opens further, but more-slowly. When the door reaches the maximurn predetermined deg eof QPI ngr which.is adjustableby a correspondiug. o i ist nte hecamd clfi on thesha t Mitre switc 40 isg'rever'sedby thi .an1.disc22,..so th tthe: witchin x-.25 i d-e g ed-.- tthe: sam utimecthe eversal of th w tch .51 and; thed -en rg ation of the relay 2:": l. ff etapo re ersal on the el ctricmotor 9.,1t e C r it; of wh h. i -;now..c 0sed thrQughthissn itch..49, the s ries. 7

4 resistance W2 and the switches 25a and 25b which have returned to their initial position, so that it rotates in the reverse direction and closes the door. However, only a small portion of the series resistance W2 is switched out. Previously, the switch 39 had, after a definite distance of opening; of the door, which can be adjusted by corresponding adjustment of the cam disc 28 on the shaft 26, been disconnected -by this cam d-isc= 28 which rotates-withtheshaft 26,- so that=-the-circuit, in which lie the push-button: switch .4, themfootswitch 5 or the photoelectric or electronic switching device, is broken, so that, in this stage of theoperation; thestarting relay 24 and consequently, .also..the. switching..relays; 25 willfin no circumstances, beenergised through renewed operation of the push-buttoniswitch 4, the footswitch 5 or the photoelectric or electronic switching device and, consequently, cannot cause a distrubance owing:to further opening :of thedoor'to beyondthe'tdesired extent. ,LQuite at the :beg'inningiof the opening movement; of the2door,.the;switch: 42 "has been switchedv in .byfithex; cam:disc;34 and, somewhat later, thetswitch 41 has been reversed by the camdisc 33; On .the .closing movement: of thexdoor, the :shaft26irotates in z-the:r.eversed dime-s.- tlOlL'iSO that thezcam discs 27,1 28,'29, 33:and..34 :alsoz: rotatezin the. reversedrdirection and .returntto their :initial l. position andthey: now again, .at the sameopeningangles of ihCQdiOOIf; at which they operated their :switches dur-.x: ingfthebpening of thea'door, operate these switches in the 1' reverseds direction. Atthe. beginning. of the closing :of the door, the lever 44 is driveniby-the' shaft: 26 -and';;'; thusg-returns the? switchi47 to its initialxposition (Fig. 6.).:' The.;.efiect:of this .15, withitherensuing return :of the I, switch :40 into: its initial position, ithatthe supply" of ."i currentzremains,.interrupted,:-and the TCOHIIBCtlOli of .a further portion of the regulatable: series .resistanceWZ-jl whileztheqcircuit of the'ielectric motor-;9" is now close through:.the;swi tches: 41 and 42 and.the*switch.25c:which;t. hasgzalreadyflreturnedi to its .initial position' on .the deenergisation of theswitchingrelay 25. 'The electric. motor". consequentlyruns. morexslowly and. the closing. movement' of the door becomes correspondingly'slowerr Whem'on being'closed, the door'reaches the'positioninto; which; on being-iopened, the switch 41 was reversed; this':switch .41 is againreturnedto its initial position by thecam:disc';33. -In this..way,;the series resistance1W2 is entirely switched. :out, while ;the.-.circuit .of -the.;electro motor. 9; is c1osed:directly;;through: thisswitch; :41 =which11 is in the positionrshown in Fig; .6, the still closedswitchi i2; 42 and the switch 250, and the door closeszwith increased: 1. force:t-tWhen,..-finally,;on further closing,:.the:.door, im-;. mediately before'reaching the .positionof closure,.reachesl the .positio'min which,:whenbeingmpened, the switch 4'2 was: closed,:-.;thistswitch:42 is opened; againby thecamu 1 disc 34, so that the circuit of the electriczi'rnotoris brokemcWhen-ihe lOOI'.'h2S been .closed,-i.the: shaft,.26 and the can11discsl7n28,29,;33ai1d34 willhaveia'gainiipp reached theirinitial.positiornantftheidevice' is ready. for." a fresh operation; 1,

It canzhe seen-from thegwiringdiagram shown-in Fig; '6 that ithc;-;device: can: .be operatedvnot :only -'.by the .push button switch: 4, the 'foot .switchf'i or thephotoelectric or electronic switching'device,..;butlalso by a shortopening ,rnovernent tcarriediontqby .hand;::;By. means: of such an opening movement of the door, the shaft 26 is rotated 1 andthusetakesihe lei/ch44 with:;it: ;=.The:'l'ever 44 their.v reverses thezswitchz47,i=so thatzthe'z-JsWitcliing relay 25 is energisedn; If, duringits closing or; opening movement,.. the door is stopped by hand and moved for a short dis-'11 tancelin .thejdirectionof openingicrclosing, .a reversal is likewise. .efiected :by meanszofthcalever 4:4 and atheli switch p47. opera-ted. thereby:

Whemthezpushebuttomswitch..4:;or thecfootrswitch: 5.. is fixedri-n. theg..operated position; for .examplez-bya" mechanicaltlocking.devicenot representetlzin the drawings; :1. or whenthe-electronic switchingdeviceremains in. opera ation, the door opens as described but remains open since, after the pole reversal of the electric motor 9 which is effected by the de-energisation of the switching relay 25 and the reversal of the switch 49 into its initial position which takes place immediately after the commencement of the closing movement of the door, the circuit of the electric motor 9 is broken by the pushbutton switch 4 or the foot switch 5 or the photoelectric or electronic switching device.

The device for the automatic opening and shutting of a door shown in Figs. 7 to 9 is substantially like the embodiment hereinbefore described, but has a considerably simpler controlling means than the latter. The parts that are identical with the corresponding parts of the device represented in Figs. 3 to 5 are denoted in Figs. 7 to 9 with the same reference numerals and the foregoing description can be referred to with regard to these parts. In the case of the device shown in Figs. 7 to 9, the starting relay 24, the switching relay 25 and the series resistances W1 and W2 have been dispensed with. Instead of the five cam discs 27, 28, 29, 33 and 34, only two cam discs 60 and 61 are adjustably arranged on the shaft 26. The cam disc 60 operates a reversing switch 62 which starts the closing movement of the door, and the cam disc 61 operates a circuitbreaker 63 which puts the driving member out of operation after the door is closed. An adjustable resistance 64 renders it possible to adjust the speed of closing. The switching-in of this device is effected by means of the lever 44. For this purpose, a cushion of air or liquid 65 is arranged beneath this lever 44 which cushion communicates, through a pipe 66, with a pneumatic or hydraulic actuating device (not shown in the drawings) which is arranged at a suitable position on the door or its frame. By operating this actuating device, the cushion of air or liquid 65 is inflated and presses the lever 44 into such a position that it operates the reversing switch and thus sets the device into operation.

Instead of the adhesion roller 17, a toothed roller may be provided which engages with a toothed running rail.

The device described may be arranged at the bottom orthe top of the door, or of the window and it may be constructed for opening and closing doors of any kind, for example revolving doors, sliding doors, swinging doors and the like, for example casement windows. In the case of revolving doors, in which the movement is always in the same direction, the device is advantageously constructed in such a manner that the rolling door performs half a revolution on every operation of the device. In the case of sliding doors, a toothed wheel, which engages with a stationary rack is provided instead of the parts 49-52.

The term doors used in the appended claims is to be understood as covering openable and closable members, for example, revolving doors, sliding doors, swinging doors and casement windows.

What I claim is:

l. A device for automatically closing and opening a closure member, comprising a casing adapted to be fixed on the closure member, a reversible electric motor mounted in said casing, a roller adapted to engage a floor surface to effect the movement of said closure member, means yieldably urging said roller into engagement with said surface, lifting means for lifting said roller from its position of engagement with said surface, reduction gear means, said motor driving said roller through said reduction gear means, control circuit means including switching means for controlling said motor, actuating means for controlling said switching means to start said motor in the direction of rotation which corresponds to the opening of the closure member, and control means controlling said switching means and controlled by a limited manual movement of said closure -6 member controlling said motor in accordance with the required direction of movement of said closure member.

2. A device according to claim 1, comprising a shaft, a sleeve rotatable on said shaft, said roller being mounted on said sleeve, a rocking arm, said sleeve being mounted on said rocking arm, a spur-Wheel gear for driving said shaft, a spring acting upon said rocking arm, and a friction clutch coupling said sleeve with said clutch.

3. A device according to claim 1, comprising a shaft, a sleeve rotatable on said shaft, said roller being adjustably mounted on said sleeve, a rocking arm, said sleeve being mounted on said rocking arm, a spur-wheel gear for driving said shaft, a spring acting upon said rocking arm, and a friction clutch coupling said sleeve with said clutch, the casing of said reduction gear means being fixed to said motor rotatably and fixably in relation to the axis of said motor so that said rocking arm can be brought back into a position in which said roller is adjusted corresponding to the direction of movement on the closing and opening of said closure member.

4. A device for automatically closing and opening a closure member, comprising a casing adapted to be fixed on the closure member, a reversible electric motor mounted in said casing, a roller adapted to engage a floor surface to effect the movement of said closure member, yieldable means urging the roller into engagement with said surface, lifting means for lifting said roller from its position of engagement with said surface, a reduction gear, said motor driving said roller through said reduction gear, control circuit means including switching means for controlling the motor disposed in said casing, actuating means controlling said switching means to start said motor in the direction of rotation which corresponds to the opening of the closure member, control means controlled by a limited manual movement of said closure member and controlling said motor in accordance with the required direction of movement of said closure memher, a gearing, said control means including a shaft driven by said gearing in dependence upon said manual movement of said closure member to operate said controlling means for the purpose aforesaid.

5. A device for automatically closing and opening a closure member, comprising a casing adapted to be fixed on the closure member, a reversible electric motor mounted in said casing, a roller adapted to engage a floor surface to effect the movement of said closure member, means yieldably urging the roller into engagement with said surface, lifting means for lifting said roller from its position of engagement with said surface, a reduction gear, said motor driving said roller through said reduction gear, control circuit means for controlling said motor disposed within the casing, actuating means for controlling said circuit means to start said motor in the direction of rotation which corresponds to the opening of the closure member, a shaft, a gearing for driving said shaft in dependence upon a limited manual movement of said closure member, at least two cam discs adjustably mounted on said shaft, and switching means adapted to be operated by said cam discs and to control said motor in accordance with the required direction of movement of said closure member.

6. A device for automatically closing and opening a closure member, comprising a casing adapted to be fixed on the closure member, a reversible electric motor mounted in said casing, a roller adapted to engage a floor surface to effect the movement of said closure member, means yieldably urging the roller into engagement with said surface, lifting means for lifting said roller from its position of engagement with said surface, a reduction gear, said motor driving said roller through said reduction gear, control circuit means for controlling the motor disposed within the casing, actuating means for controlling the circuit means to start said motor in the direction of rotation which corresponds to the opening of the closure member, control means controlled in dependence upon a 7 limited manual movement of said closure. member and controllingfsaid motor in faccordance'with tlielrequir'ed direction of movement ,of said closure member, sa'idcon trol means including. a. gearing, a shaft driven by said gearing independence upon said manual movement of said closure member and actuating said control means, a lever mounted on said shaft, a 'friction clutch for couplingfsaid lever with said shaft, andfan electrical reversing switch operated by saidlever, said lev being rockable between twolimit positionsl.

7. A device for automatically closingand opening a closure member, comprising a casing adapted to be fixed on. the closure, member, a reversible electric. motor mounted in said casing, a roller adapted' to engage a fioor surface to effect the movement of said c1osurer'nernber, lifting means'for lifting said roller from its position ofengagement with said surface, a reduction gear, said motor driving said rollerthrough said reduction gear, control'circuit means for controlling the rnotondispoised withinv the casing, actuatingmeans for controlling the circuit means to start said motor in the direction of rotation which corresponds to the opening of the closure member, control means controlled in dependence upon a limited manual movement "of said-closure mernber and controlling said motor in accordance with the required direction of movement of said closure member, control,means including a. gearing, and a shaft-drivenby said gearing in dependence upon said manual..movement of said closuremember and operating'said'control end protrudingfrom said tubular arm and connected.

withsaid secondly mentioned shaft, a thirdsha ftcolipled with said first mentioned shaft," and bevel Wheels.

through which said secondly mentioned shaft drives said third shaft i 8. A device for automatically closing and openinga closuremember, comprising'a casing'adapted to be fixed V on the closure member and," mounted in said casing, a reversible electric motor, aswitching relay adapted'to switch in and reverse sai'd rnotor, and a: starting relay adaptedto control said switching relayJa roller v l hich is adapted toengage affloor'surface to' eifect the move h ent of said closure member, yieldable' means urging said roller into engagemen't with said surface, liftingfmea'ns' for lifting said roller frorn' itsposition of engagement with said surface, a reduction gear, said" motor driving said roller through said r'eductiongear, "control circuit means for controlling" the 'mctor 'disposed" irithe cas ng,

actuating means for' controlling the circuit rneans'fto' start said motor-in the direction of' rotation whichcora responds to the opening of the closure member, centrol means controlled in dependence upon alirnitedmanual movement of said closure-member and controllingsaid' motor in accordance with therequired-direction of move ment-of said closure'member;

9. A device for automatically closing and openinga closure member, comprising casing 'adaptedtobe means, a bearingmember adapted to be 'fiieaimnem on the closure memberfareversible" arsenic-mater mounted in said casing, 'a roller adanted'toengage a floor surface .to effect the movementof said'closure member, yieldable means urgingsaid r'oller'ihtd'engagement with said surface, lifting mesnsrer lifting said roller from its position of engagement'with said sur'face, a reduction gear; saidmotor drivingsaidrollerithrougli said reduction gear, control -circuitfmeahs forcontrolling tlie' m'o tor disposed in the casing; aduatm meass remenrrei the circuit means to sta' rts'aid,-inotor in the direction. of rotation. which correspondsto'the opening of the closure member, control means" controlled in de nlende nce upon a limited manual-movement of said closure member and controlling saidmotor in accordance with therequired direction of movement of said closure member, a gear ing, atshaft driven by .said gearing corresponding to said manual movement of 'said'closure member'and'operatingj 10. A, device'for automatically closing and opening aclosure member, comprising a casing adapted to be.

secured totlie'clo'sure member, a reversibleelectric motor mounted insaidcasing, a roller adapted'to engage .a floor surface to effect'the movement,of said closure member,

yieldablef'means urging theroller into engagementjwith said surfa cefliftingm eans for lifting said roller from its position of "'e ngagementj with said surface, a reduction gear, said motor driving saidroller through said reduc{ tion gear, controlfcircuitmeans for controlling ,themotor, at leastfone'switch operable bygthe user of] the clos'ure memb 'er for controllingsaid circuitjmeans to start said motor, inithe direction of rotation corresponding to the opening ofthe closure member, and control means operated by a; limited. manual movement of said closure member to'contr'ol said motorin accordance with the required directionof movement of said' closure member,

'11. A 'devicefor. automatically closing andcpeninga closurefinem ber, comprising a, casing. ada'ptedfl 'fqibe fixed, on thejfclosuremember, a reversible. electricmotor mounted in said casing, a roller adapted ,to engage a floor surface to effect thefrnovement of said closure member,

yieldable means urging the roller into engagement said surface, lifting means for lifting said roller from its position. of. engagement with said. surface, a reduction gear, said motor driving said roller through, said reduction gear, control circuit means for controlling the motor, at least one switch operable bythe use of the closure. member for controllingsaidcircuit means to start said motor in the direction of rotation which corresponds to the opening of the closure member, control means co n trolled by. an initial manual'in ovement ofsaid closure member controlling said motor in accordance withthe required direction of-movementof said closure member, said control means including a gearing and a'shaft driven by said gearing in responseto said initial'movement of said closure member to operate said control means.

12; A deviceffor' automatically closing'and opening a closure-member, comprising a casing adaptedto be fixed on the closure member; a reversible electric motor mounted in said casing, a roller adapted to engage a floor surface to effect the movement of said closure member, yieldable meansurging the roller into engagementwith said surface, lifting means for.:lifting saidroller from its position of engagement-wvith said--surface ,a reduction gear, saidmotor driving said roller through said reduction gear, an electrical actuating device and, for operatingsaid-actuating device, aIsingleQolereversing switch anda finingdeviceforsaid reyersingswitchand, in said casing, acontrolcircuit means for the motorcontrollable by, said actuating device, for starting said motor, inthe direction of rotation which corresponds tothe. opening of :theI, closure member, and .control means v controllable in dependence upo i fa n jiniti al manual .moveinentofsaid closure rnember to controllsaid n'iotor in accordance. with the required 7 direction 'of movement of said closure member. 1 l

13. A devicefor automatically closing. and opening. a closure member, comprising a casing adapted to be fixed on the closure member, a reversible electric motor mounted in said casing, a roller adapted to engage a floor surface to effect the movement of said closure member, yieldable means urging the roller into engagement with said surface, lifting means for lifting said roller from its position of engagement with said surface, a reduction gear, said motor driving said roller through said reduction gear, an electrical actuating device and, for operating said actuating device, a single-pole reversing switch and a fixing device for said reversing switch, and, in said casing, a control circuit means for the motor controllable by said actuating device, for starting said motor in the direction of rotation which corresponds to the opening of the closure member, and control means operable in dependence upon an initial manual movement of said closure member to control said motor in accordance with the required direction of movement of said closure member, said control means including a gearing, and a shaft driven by said gearing in dependence upon said initial movement of said closure member to operate said control means.

14. A device for automatically closing and opening a closure member, comprising a casing adapted to be fixed on the closure member, a reversible electric motor mounted in said casing, a roller adapted to engage a floor surface to effect the movement of said closure member, yieldable means urging the roller into engagement with said surface, lifting means for lifting said roller from its position of engagement with said surface, a reduction gear, said motor driving said roller through said reduction gear, an actuating device, and, in said casing, control circuit means for the motor controllable by said actuating device, for starting said motor in the direction of rota tion which corresponds to the opening of the closure member, and control means operable in dependence upon an initial manual movement of said closure member to control said motor in accordance with the required direction of movement of said closure member, said control means including a gearing, a shaft driven by said gearing in dependence upon said initial movement of said closure member to operate said control means, a lever mounted on said shaft, a friction clutch for coupling said lever with said shaft, and an electrical reversing switch operable by said lever, said lever being rockable between two limit positions and said actuating device coacting with said lever to rock the same for actuating the said switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,631,416 Howard June 7, 1927 1,694,431 Russell et al. Dec. 11, 1928 2,294,041 Mims Aug. 25, 1942 

